Panama takes the Gold in Group G

PANAMA CITY, Panama, August 19, 2012. - Panama took the Gold Medal at the

NORCECA First Round Women’s 2014 World Championship Qualification Group G, defeating El Salvador in the final match 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-11).

Panama had in Captain Joanna Arroyo its best scorer with 13 points consisting in 10 spikes, 2 blocks and one in service; Yokhanny Comrie contributed with 10 points. Panama finished in first place undefeated. For El Salvador, Adriana Flores scored the highest with 6 points.

Both teams along with Belize earned the ticked for the second round to be played next year as the qualification phase road to Italy 2014 continues.

Arroyo, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, expressed “we prepared well for this event and I want to thank you on behalf of my teammates the support of the crowd and our coach.”

Adriana Flores of El Salvador indicated “we lacked confidence in our performance, I believe that we were too anxious to win; I congratulate Panama for their victory.”

“Our preparation showed today, I want to thank my team for their excellent effort without leaving God aside” said Reynado Ortega.

El Salvador’s Coach, Gabriel Linares said “I’m satisfied because in El Salvador we don’t get the opportunity to play at a higher level and for some of our young players this is their first time to be in a final match.”

Individual awards:

Most Valuable Player: Joanna Arroyo, Panama

Best Spiker: Joanna Arroyo, Panama

Best Blocker: Anayansi Ortiz, Panama

Best Server: Hashlyn Cuero, Panama

Best Scorer: Joanna Arroyo, Panama

Best Libero: Jasmine Anderson, Belize

Best Digger: Madeline Gonzalez, El Salvador

Best Setter: Hashlyn Cuero, Panama

Best Receiver: Joanna Arroyo, Panama